Panjiayuan Antique Market

• Visiting Panjiayuan and 798 is a lot of fun and the quickest way to help you better understand two aspects of Beijing: the traditional and modern Beijing; Beijing of yesterday and that of today with equal vigor and vitality.You can get up early in the morning and set off at about 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. to the Panjiayuan Antique Market in the southern part of Beijing, where you may find the visit particularly rewarding.
  "Ghost Market" Panjiayuan
  Panjiayuan Antique Market is one of the most popular in Beijing. Now, "Great Wall, Duck, Forbidden City and Panjiayuan" are the musts for foreign tourists to Beijing. Panjiayuan is also called the "Ghost Market", with its origin dating back to the dusk of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Back then China, a weak nation, suffered from wars and internal turbulence. Many government officials and celebrities were forced to sell their antiques on the market owing to deteriorating financial conditions. They felt so embarrassed being reduced to such an awkward situation that they would only sell off their antiques by lantern light at three or four a.m. (Ghosts are also called phantoms, the souls of dead people. In Chinese legends, ghosts are usually active between midnight and the dawn. Therefore, "ghost market" is used to refer to the market that opens before dawn.
  Nowadays the items in Panjiayuan no longer come from the aforesaid sources; however, the traditional 4 am opening time is preserved.
   

If you stay in Beijing longer, those tours are perfect to have a first impression about the city, decide where you want to spend more time and learn a few tips from our insiders.Jump aboard our 1930's style motorbike and sidecar to discover Beijing the way most never see it. This is unique and fun way to experience a Beijing life and the sights. It is sure to be a highlight of your China trip.

• Pick up at the hotel by 9:00 am and return to the hotel by 6:30 pm.

• Central Business district and its famous buildings including Reem Koolhaas 's CCTV building.

• If the visibility is good, we'll go up one of the a skyscraper to get a bird's eye view of the city.

• We can pay a short visit at the Panjiayuan antique market. (weekends only).

• The new National Opera Theatre.

• Hutongs (traditional small alleys) in the South, authentic Beijing life!

• Visit the most impressive Beijing imperial temples: The Temple of Heaven with joyfull Beijingers.

• Lunch at local characteristic restaurant.

• Stop for a cup of tea at Gulou next to the Bell Tower.

• Qian An Men and the new Beijing Urbanism (old hutongs to be removed and replaced with replicas).

• Jingshan park (the Charcoal Hill), so we can see the "Sea of Golden Roofs" on the Forbidden City.

• Wuhao,a Shop and Design Gallery in an historical and beautiful Courtyard Garden (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

• Nanluoguxiang a "renovated hutong" that hosts new boutiques, cafes and restaurant.

• Drum and Bell Tower one of the oldest sites in the city.

• The Confucius Temple and Imperial Academy.

• Ride along Houhai lakes.